World Turtle Day: Road mortality a top threat in Canada in May and June
World Turtle Day is held every May 23 to raise awareness about the conservation of turtles and tortoises, and what we can do to restore their disappearing habitats.
As we near the end of May and soon enter June, many freshwater turtles in Canada are on the lookout for mates and adequate nesting spots. But they are often crossing roads to do so, putting them in harm's way.
That's why "turtle heroes" are needed to move them safely off the road or to avoid hitting them with vehicles.
SEE ALSO: How we can help Canada's at-risk turtles survive and thrive
Preventing turtle mortality is particularly important because it can take up to two decades or longer for an animal to reproduce. Conserving turtle habitat and reducing road mortalities can go a long way in securing their populations in Canada.
That's why the American Tortoise Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to turtle and tortoise conservation, designated May 23 as World Turtle Day. It raises awareness about the conservation of turtles and tortoises, and their disappearing habitats.
Painted turtle. (Nathan Howes/The Weather Network)
"These gentle animals have been around for 260 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of smuggling, the exotic food industry, habitat destruction, global warming and the cruel pet trade. It is a very sad time for turtles and tortoises of the world,” said Susan Tellem, American Tortoise Rescue and World Turtle Day founder, in a news release.
Road mortality still top concern in May and June
While there are numerous reasons for the decline of turtles, road mortality is one of the major contributors to the deaths. It is the No. 1 concern in May and June as this is when turtles begin to nest.
Because of that, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is encouraging people to report observations of turtles (alive or dead) on roads to iNaturalist. Roads are a main threat to many species of turtle, and knowing where they cross them can help plan where mitigation should be placed, CWF said.
Snapping turtle. (David Seburn/Canadian Wildlife Federation/Submitted to The Weather Network)
The nesting sites of turtles are located near roadways because they often cross through wetlands, moving from area to another to mate and lay their eggs, James Page, CWF species at risk and biodiversity specialist, noted to The Weather Network in a 2021 interview.
As well, road shoulders act as adequate nesting spots due to the gravel-composed soils that make for perfect breeding grounds to house the eggs.
“That’s a huge number, especially because turtles take a long time to be old enough to reproduce. Every adult turtle we’re losing, depending on the species, it could be up to 20 years before that young one is old enough to contribute again to that population," said Page.